Javier Soto's Champurrado

Champurrado is a chocolate-based, warm and thick Mexican drink. It is prepared with flour, panela, water or milk, cinnamon and/or vanilla. Champurrado is traditionally made during the Christmas season.

I started the tradition a few years back making it for my family after having it for the first time. It was so good I immediately asked for the recipe. This version is from Allrecipes.com. Although I’ve made it a few times, I don’t think it lives up to the first time I tasted it.

DirectionsBring water, cinnamon stick, clove, and star anise to a boil in a saucepan; remove from heat and allow spices to steep until water is fragrant, about 10 minutes. Strain.

Heat milk, chocolate, and pinole in another saucepan over medium heat, whisking until chocolate is dissolved and liquid is thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add piloncillo; let rest until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes more. Pour cinnamon water into chocolate mixture and stir to combine.

Stargazers, get ready for a dazzling show Wednesday night into Thursday morning as the year's best meteor shower, the Geminids, reaches its peak. NASA says the shower will peak between 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 and dawn on Dec. 14.

Stargazers, get ready for a dazzling show Wednesday night into Thursday morning as the year's best meteor shower, the Geminids, reaches its peak. NASA says the shower will peak between 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 and dawn on Dec. 14.

Pigeons can be a pain. And once you get them, they're hard to get rid of. But some neighbors at one apartment complex near 28th Street and Osborn in Phoenix are worried about dead and dying pigeons. And no one is happy about what's left behind.

Pigeons can be a pain. And once you get them, they're hard to get rid of. But some neighbors at one apartment complex near 28th Street and Osborn in Phoenix are worried about dead and dying pigeons. And no one is happy about what's left behind.

A Guadalupe man is sitting in jail with a charge of second-degree murder after he allegedly stabbed and killed his girlfriend in front of her teen son, according to court documents. (Source: Maricopa County Sheriff's Office)

A Guadalupe man is sitting in jail with a charge of second-degree murder after he allegedly stabbed and killed his girlfriend in front of her teen son, according to court documents.